Join the Conversation

LETTER: Let neo-Nazis march even if you disagree with their views

The Courier-Post
Published 6:38 p.m. ET Sept. 4, 2017

CLOSE

With fallout over President Trump’s take on the bloody events in Charlottesville, Democratic Representative Steve Cohen of Tennessee announcing his plans to introduce articles of impeachment against the president.
Buzz60

Hundreds of white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the "alt-right" march down East Market Street toward Lee Park during the "United the Right" rally August 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, VA.(Photo: Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images)

After reading some of the letters published in the “Your Views” section of the Voices page, I’m afraid too many people in this country do not understand our country’s history or Constitution. We do not have to agree with, condone or even like what some people believe in to allow them to legally assemble and march. What I saw on television, again and again, were the counter-demonstrators blocking, attacking and physically manhandling the neo-Nazi demonstrators. As much as I despise the neo-Nazis and their movement, let them march and get it over with. Stop giving days and days of free publicity to these people and their cause.

Many years ago, one of my college history professors, who happened to be Jewish, said he would “fight to the death” to allow neo-Nazis (or anyone else) to assemble and march, provided it was done properly and legally. We, as individuals, are not in a position to say it’s OK to do something we like, but not OK if we don’t; it’s fundamental constitutional law!

Robert Charles Joslin

Berlin

Read or Share this story: https://www.courierpostonline.com/story/opinion/readers/2017/09/04/letter-let-neo-nazis-march-even-if-you-disagree-their-views/631597001/

From The USA TODAY NETWORK

These sites are part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. Their content is produced independently from our newsrooms.